Concrete conduit members

Abstract

An end connector for use in forming a conduit in a poured concrete member is provided. The end connector is adapted to be secured to a wall of a concrete member pouring form, the end connector having a surface feature to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal upon receiving an end of a tube that extends between opposite walls of the pouring form to form a conduit in the poured structural member. The end connector has a geometry capable of nesting with at least one other end connector to minimize a container size required to transport the end connectors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a conduit in a poured concrete member, the steps comprising:
 providing a pouring form having opposed walls for receiving concrete to form a concrete member; 
 connecting an end connector to at least one end of a conduit member having opposed ends, the end connector having a geometry capable of nesting with another end connector to minimize a container size required to transport a plurality of end connectors; 
 the end connector further having a perforation extending to an edge of the end connector, the perforation permitting removal of the connector without removal of the fastener and without damaging the connector; 
 installing the conduit member between the opposed walls, each end connector being brought into contact with one wall, including an arrangement wherein one end connector being brought into contact with one wall and the end of the conduit member opposite the end connector being brought into contact with the opposite wall. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of installing the conduit member includes installing a fastener in the end connector to secure the end connector to the wall. 
     
     
       3. A connector for use in forming a conduit in a poured concrete member comprising:
 a first end connector being integrally formed and further comprising an opening, the opening having a flexible peripheral first surface feature adapted to be directly secured to a wall of a concrete member pouring form during pouring of concrete into the form, the first end connector having a second surface feature to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal upon receiving a first end of a tube that extends between opposite walls of the pouring form to form a conduit in the poured concrete member, the first end connector having a tapered geometry to nest with another first end connector and further having a perforation extending to an edge of the first end connector, the perforation permitting removal of the connector without removal of the fastener and without damaging the connector; 
 wherein the first end connector forms a conduit in the poured concrete member. 
 
     
     
       4. The connector of  claim 3  wherein the second surface feature is an annular rib to structurally enhance the connector. 
     
     
       5. The connector of  claim 4  wherein the annular rib is continuous. 
     
     
       6. The connector of  claim 5  wherein the annular rib extends outwardly. 
     
     
       7. The connector of  claim 5  wherein the annular rib extends inwardly. 
     
     
       8. The connector of  claim 3  wherein the poured concrete member is selected of at least one of a tee, girder, or girder to column connection. 
     
     
       9. The connector of this  claim 3  further comprising a second surface feature. 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 3  wherein the first end connector has an aperture to receive a fastener to secure the first end connector to a wall of a pouring form. 
     
     
       11. The connector of  claim 10  wherein the aperture is disposed with a region that is separable from the remainder of the first end connector without removal of the fastener and without damaging the connector. 
     
     
       12. The connector of  claim 3  further comprising a second end connector substantially identical to the first end connector for receiving a second end of the tube opposite the first end. 
     
     
       13. The connector of  claim 3  further comprises a cap received by the first end connector substantially covering the first end connector. 
     
     
       14. The connector of  claim 13  wherein the cap includes a predetermined path of reduced thickness configured to rupture substantially along the predetermined path upon impact with a blunt instrument. 
     
     
       15. The connector of  claim 13  wherein the cap includes a slot. 
     
     
       16. The connector of  claim 13  wherein the cap and the first end connector have meshing features. 
     
     
       17. The connector of  claim 16  wherein the meshing features include annular ribs or threads. 
     
     
       18. An end connector for use in forming a conduit in a poured concrete member comprising:
 at least one end connector being integrally formed and further comprising an opening, the opening having a flexible peripheral first surface feature adapted to be directly secured to a wall of a concrete member pouring form during pouring of concrete, the at least one end connector having an annular rib to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal upon receiving an end of a tube that extends between opposite walls of the pouring form to form a conduit in the poured structural member, the at least one end connector having a tapered geometry capable of nesting with another end connector; 
 the end connector further having a perforation extending to an edge of the end connector, the perforation permitting removal of the connector without removal of the fastener and without damaging the connector; 
 wherein the at least one end connector forms a conduit in the poured concrete member.